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Reviews
Stars in My Crown (1950)
Nice Little Movie
"Stars in my Crown" is a pleasant little movie with a story that's set in the immediate post Civil War era. A good performance by Joel McCrea as the preacher who settles in the town and begins is ministry. Over the years he helps various members of his congregation and the town with a myriad of issues, all done with earnestness, sincerity and a deep faith in God and religion. There's a subplot of a conflict with the local doctor...science vs. Religion...and other events..racisim, and disease. The movie is intelligent and entertaining. The description of the movie, "Minister preaches with two guns in hand" and the poster of Joel McCree pictured as if he was a gunslinger is totally out of place and inaccurate. I guess the movie makers at the time wanted to convey a sense of the typical wild west in an era when so many westerns were packing them into the theatres. Anyway, Good movie. Clean movie. Interesting movie.
Week End (1967)
The Worst Movie that I've Ever Seen
I recently watched this movie on Turner Classic Movies. I sort of/kind of knew what to expect in a 60's so-called "New Wave" movie in that I expected it to be different, possibly innovative, fairly unstructured and with a lot of deep philosophical dialogue, some of which might be interesting. All but a few of other such movies of the genre that I've viewed were pretty much like that so my expectations were fairly well-grounded. Billed as a "comedy-drama" I neither expected real laughs or serious content. What I found was a movie that was completely devoid of anything entertaining. It had only the barest outline of a plot, totally disagreeable characters, convoluted and disjointed scenes, graphic unpleasant things being done to animals and unexplained circumstances and situations (car accidents all over).
That heralded long tracking shot might have been interesting at the time but I couldn't help wonder where they were going with it after the first 3 minutes of watching it. I had to daydream and wondered into trying to identify the make and model of the cars that were in the tracking shot. I spent the entire movie thinking that the next scene will straighten the movie out. That never happened. That the movie was actually given four and a half stars by TCM is a total mystery to me. Watching "Weekend" for me was like eating a bad meal and being sick for days afterwards. I suppose that the literari are "supposed" to like anything that's foreign and "avant garde" movies like "Weekend." I certainly did not.
Annika (2021)
Entertaining
Nicola Walker is a favorite of mine. She's been outstanding in everything in which I've seen her. So, I'm a bit prejudiced as regards "Anikka." In brief, I find the series entertaining, witty and at times reasonably suspenseful as a police procedural. In addition to Ms. Walker the supporting cast is very good and the storylines are engaging. I've seen reviews where some reviewers gripe about the Anikka character breaking the Fourth (or is it the "Fifth") wall. However, I'm entertained by those little, witty and intellectual asides, that is, if not overdone. My only complaint about the series is that there's too much emphasis on Anikka's private life and the daughter. Otherwise, I give the series an excellent rating. Not for everyone but for those that like this kind of thing, a winner.
The Hill (1965)
Almost perfect movie
"The Hill" is vastly engaging via its cast, direction, setting, writing and dialogue. I consider it among the best of director Sidney Lumet's work. Sean Connery is also outstanding as the former senior NCO who (arguably) injudiciously gets thrown in prison as a result of a serious infraction of military law. Harry Andrews as the top sergeant at the prison and "Staff Williams" were creepy and also outstanding. I very pleasant surprise is Ossie Davis' portrayal as "King." His subtle, low-keyed portrayal of the character in the beginning of the movie was in stark contrast to what became at the end. And the presentation of both facets was totally realistic given the racial and cultural atmospherics of the times. That the movie didn't do all that well is sort of understandable as it was a "prison flick" and not everyone's cup of tea. But it deserves the highest kudos.
Fool's Paradise (2023)
Totally Unfunny...
Sophomoric and labored attempt at humor that failed miserably. What I saw was akin to the worst of the worst "Saturday Night Live" or one of those 1950's 10 minute skits stretched into an hour and half. Feature. Few smiles (if any) and no outright laughter. Preposterous situations. Many fine actors in the movie all of whom are totally wasted. It was good to see Ray Liotta but sad that this travesty was his last or close to his last movie. Eddie Falco. John Malkovich, Ken Jeong are totally wasted with the latter two given to manically delivering their unfunny dialogue and largely mugging their ways through the flick. I like small movies but in this case it's a definite no-go. .
Midsomer Murders (1997)
Good Show
While frequently implausible plot wise the show is good entertainment. The principles do their British rural cop thing with a fair degree of realism and the supporting cast usually hit their marks. I do, however, sometimes find the plots a tad serpentine and confusing but then again, that's the point of such cop mystery dramas. The light touches are done well too. I'm probably one of the few around who find this troublesome but why is it that a cop with such a high rank, "Detective Chief Inspector" and his partner, a "Detective Sergeant" buddying up to solve the crimes. Wouldn't they be supervising the investigators who investigate? Then again, the same with American t.v. When every detective is a "lieutenant." A good point for me about "Midsomer
is that the detectives wear suits and ties and don't all try to come off as undercover "Serpicos."
Nothing in Common (1986)
Very Good Movie
Intelligent little character driven movie about family, especially the respective relationships between spouses and those between a father and his son.. The leads, Hanks, Gleason and Eve Marie Saint are highly effective as the charismatic, boyish and avuncular adult son, the flamboyant old school salesman son and the put upon wife/mother, respectively. A comedy/drama with both amusing scenes, quick-witted dialogue and Hanks' (then) boyish charm as the flippant adult child. Interesting sidebar about the advertising scene as well. A very entertaining and thoughtful movie that's worth taking a look at.
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976)
Baffling and Indeciperable Movie
While I see several highly favorable reviews of this movie I have to respectfully disagree with them. I found the movie painfully slow and totally incomprehensible. There are disparate scenes that neither furthers the story line or assist with the movie's plot nor do they qualify as subplots. Seems that the makers jjust threw in some scenes willy-nilly. I had to pay very close attention to the flick in order to try to make some sense of what was going on, unsuccessfully. On the upside, the acting was fine, especially Ben Gazzara as the laconic nightclub owner. The "baddies" seemed natural and unaffected. I don't want to spoil it for viewers but there were several small things that just made zero sense..the "killing" and the selection of a nightclub owner to do it, for example. I expected an oddity given that it was a John Cassavetes effort. For me, the movie was anything but entertaining, lucid or thought provoking.
One Night in Miami... (2020)
Very good movie
A superior movie. Both entertaining and thought provoking. Given it's theater origins as a play about, essentially, guys talking, I'm amazed how the movie did not seem claustrophobic or stilted. I credit that o both the screenwriter's and the directors skill with handling the pacing of the actors and the dialogue. All of the principle actors were A Plus with each of them having their own "solo" (so to speak) in this movie. Highly recommend.
Black Samson (1974)
Very Poor Movie
I watched this thing more out of pure nostalgia having reached maturity during the so-called "Blaxploitation" movie era. "Black Samson" did te usual thing, i.e., strong, independent, successful black man looking out for his hood and bro's while sticking it to the evil man with monotonous 3 beat music always playing in the background. Poor acting. Ridiculous dialogue. Elementary and totally predictable plotting. Poor staging. Cheap sets, etc. As one of the Blaxploitation chain of movies of the times, most of which were poorly made, Black Samson is at the bottom of the list.
Kung Fu (2021)
Horrible!
Ridiculous storylines. Stilted acting. Formulistic and unrealistic dialogue. Martial Arts staging is totally farcical with techniques having zero practicality or real world effectiveness. I wouldn't bother comparing this show to the original "Kung Fu" series of the 1970's as they are two different animals whose only commonality is the series' names. If I could have given the show a zero I'd be kind.
The Last Full Measure (2019)
Excellent!!
Powerful, affecting, sensitive and thought provoking. Realistic depiction of the horrors of war and its after effects as well as the government bureaucracy and CYA egotists in positions of power. A most welcome nod to our men and women in uniform and special kudos to the US Air Force and it's ParaRescue component, the later of which I've never seen featured or highlighted. Highly recommend this serious, realistic dramatic movie.
BlacKkKlansman (2018)
Disappointing
Spike Lee is a very talented and accomplished movie maker. His best work counts among the finest in American Cinema ("Malcolm X" is a great example). However, as regards "Black Klansman"..I fully agree with many of the reviewers that the story was compelling and that generally speaking the racism of the era was well displayed via this microsm of society. However, I think that if Mr. Lee had stayed with the story rather than proselytizing about modern day politics the movie would have been much, much better. Mr. Lee hits seems to have felt the need to sledgehammer his point home ...a very valid one...rather than to let the historical events speak for themselves. An example...Harry Belefonte's telling of that story in the movie was far, far more heart wrenching and effective in making the point of the story than that final scene montage that was gratuitously provided at the end of the flick. All that said, having lived through the time in question Lee was spot on as regards the production design all around and those "naturals" that the Black characters sported were, as was said then, "Oughta sight!"
13 West Street (1962)
Good Little Movie
Interesting early '60's fair. Good performances by Dorn and Ladd but Rod Steiger "steals" the movie with his matter-of-fact professional detective reading of the role. . ...a real pro. One thing contained in the "goofs" section...about the kids attacking the house and the police presence...the idea was to increase patrols near the house and not "sit" on it. Hence, the kids could have come during a gap in police coverage.
Tsotsi (2005)
Great Little Movie.....
Powerful. Well acted and presented. Thoughtful and intelligent. Poignant story telling. Both depressing and moderately uplifting. Well worth watching for anyone interested in great story telling. Especially noteworthy is the subtle, low key performance of the main character. Both chilling and sensitive at the same time and feelings communicated via looks, eyes and mood without without much dialogue.
Hazel (1961)
Good Show...
"Hazel" is a good, old school, innocent and clean t.v. sitcom. While totally plot predictable it still manages to entertain. Of course, Shirley Booth carried the show with good support from Don Defoe and Witney Blake. Especially appreciated is that unlike in today's sitcoms kids are respectful & obedient and not smart mouthed brats who have wise remark for everything an adult says.
I once read that Shirley Booth was criticized for taking on a t.v. sitcom after having been an established actress and Oscar winner (in the days when Oscars were moreso awarded for acting vs. diversity or politics). The pundits thought that she "lowered" herself doing t.v. Booth expressed an Hazel-esque attitude in effect saying, "so what!? It's a study acting job, people like the show and I'm getting a good, study salary."
Something Wild (1961)
Good movie but....
I very much like these movies of the late 50's/early 60's. Black and white. Low budget. Story and character driven and with a focus on realism. Populated by ordinary people and usually set in working class or poorer sections of the big city the movies usually are pathos heavy. "A Patch of Blue", and "The Pawnbroker," come immediately to mind. ..a sort of "film noir" without the rain swept city streets, gun molls and heists. That said, I was a tad disappointed in this movie because of the Meeker character. His motivation isn't entirely selfless and his actions as regards the Baker character can not be consider noble. Was it the deliberate intent of the movie's makers to show a dichotomy in the Meeker character's psychie to keep us guessing? Frankly, I'd prefer a more straight forward protagonist with a focus on the Baker character's recovery. That is why I only gave the movie 6 stars out of 10. Then again, that's just my opinion. Overall, a good movie and worth watching for those of us who enjoy good little flicks that are well done.
Hawaii Five-O (1968)
Good Entertainment
Very much like the show as a weekly t.v. cop drama all around. Just one thing...why was a so relatively young "Danno" the second in command to McGarrett when it was obvious that Chin Ho who was older and presumably a more experienced cop not the #2?
Hawaii Five-O (1968)
Good Entertainment
Very much like the show as a weekly t.v. cop drama all around. Just one thing...why was a so relatively young "Danno" the second in command to McGarrett when it was obvious that Chin Ho who was older and presumably a more experienced cop not the #2?
Barney Miller (1975)
Great Show!
Humor, wit, tragedy, pathos and human feeling were all highlighted in "Barney Miller.":. The show demonstrated just how boring and routine actually police work could be but effectively milked the routine for thoughtful laughs. While occasionally referenced (largely through the "Wojo" characters..there were no brutal fights, car chases or gun play displayed. Each of the characters had their own persona and all of those characters were brilliantly portrayed by the respective actors that played the character. My only complaint about the show is how they were too loose with NYPD realities. For example, all of the central characters were "Detective Sergeants" (Wojo eventually got there after several tries) and none of them, with the possible exception of "Fish" very early in the series ever had supervisory responsibilities. (note: I assume that the "check-in/check out" board listing other squad room personnel was to demonstrate that the squad was much larger than the featured cast as a nod to practical reality). Also, I noted that on the episodes when the detectives wore uniforms (for whatever reason) other than Captain Miller and Inspector Lugar they each had a patrolman's badge. On the last show Officer Levitt is promoted to "Detective Sergeant" without ever having to go through the usual NYPD Detective 3rd Grade, 2nd Grade and Detective 1st Grade ranks and then successfully completing sergeant's testing. Finally, normally a precinct is commanded by a uniformed captain. A detective commander who overseas a detective squad embeded within a precinct would not have had precinct command as, while never specifically stated was too often implied in some of the shows. Nitpicking...possibly/probably...but I still think that "Barney Miller" was one of the finest shows ever on T.V.